Apparatus for conveying water.



J. D. BELL.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING WATER.

APPLICATION 11351) JAN. 16, 1913.

1, 1 2%, 1 9?,v Patented Jan.5, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR A. flail, BY #1. www

'1 ATTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHGTOJJTHQ. WASHINGTON, D C.

J. 1). BELL. I APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING WATER.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN.'16, 1913.

1,124,197., Patented Jan.5, 1915.

4 SHEBT$-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES "hi MW M ATTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTrLITHQ. WASHINGTON. n. G

J. D. BELL.

APPARATUS FOB. CONVEYING WATER.

APPLICATION TILED JAILIB, 1913.

1 1 24, 1 97, Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

WITNESSES 2:1

INVENTOR ATTORNEY THE VORRIS PETERS Co FHCTO-LITHO., WASHm-JON. a C,

J. D. BELL.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING WATER.

APPLIOATION FILED JANIB, 1913. I

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W ITN ESSES 4v ATTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERSCQ. PHOT GL!THO.. WASHINGTON, D. C.

IIITF ST NT FFIQE.

-APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING WATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 5, 1915.

Application filed January 16, 1913. Serial No. 742,412.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr D. BELL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Conveying Water, of which the following is a specification. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for conveying large bodies of water from one locality to another.

The apparatus is useful for irrigating, from a river or lake, land near said river or lake, or for raising water from a well or other source of supply. But it is especially advantageous for deriving water from an elevated lake, and conducting it to land at a lower level than said lake, as, in such cases, the weight of the water itself, in descending to the lower level, can be used as the motive power to operate the apparatus, so that there is practically no expense of operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus as used for draining water from an elevated lake; Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the ground being shown in section; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion thereof, looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of the invention; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of the cams; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section, certain parts being shown in side elevation, of one of the water carriers or units of the apparatus; Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section thereof; Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof; Fig. 9 is a broken vertical section showing a modification of the carrier; Fig. 10 is a detail side view of valve mechanism; Fig. 11 is a side view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, used for irrigation; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 13 is a side view of the apparatus used for elevating water from a well; Fig. 14 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 15 is an enlarged vertical section of the water-carrying unit in said modification.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates an elevated lake, from which water is to be withdrawn. A channel 2 is constructed leading from said lake to a circular channel 3. Into one side of said latter channel enter an endless series of carriers 4:, which travel aroundwheels 5, 6, the shafts 7 of said wheels having a suitable inclination to the vertical, so that said wheels are inclined to the horizontal at an angle substantially the same as that up which the water is to be raised by the carriers. Said carriers are here shown as comprising cylindrical tanks 8, the closed ends 9 of which have central apertures connected to each other by tubes '10, the cylindrical wall of each tank being strengthened by radial spokes or ties 11 connected to said tubes 10. The tubes 10 extend beyond the outer ends of the tanks to form bearings, on which are pivoted the hookshaped ends of yokes 12, which are rotatably secured,- as shown at 13, to hangers 1a mounted on rollers 15, which run upon a raised track 16, said track being upheld by a suitable support 67, such as shown in Fig. 7. Said tanks are secured together in endless series by means of a cable 18 passing through all of said tubes 10, there being secured to said cable spacers 19, the ends of which can abut against the hook-shaped ends of the yokes to space said yoke ends from each other. The outer hole in the end of the yoke through which the cable passes is considerably smaller in diameter than the tube, the object of this construction being to prevent the cable from coming in contact with the tube, which would cause great wear on the cable and increase the friction tending to retard the hereinafter described rotary movement of the tank. Said wheels 5, 6, are preferably made polygonal in form, each side of the polygon being of substantially the same length as a tank, and there are formed at the ends of said sides 'projec tions 22, spacing the tanks from each other and insuring proper engagement of each tank with said wheel. Moreover, said wheels, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are formed on their lower sides, with outwardly extending flanges 23, on which the tanks are supported in moving around the wheel.

In passing through one side of the circular channel 3 in which they are submerged, the tanks are filled with water, said water entering said tanks through the open portions of longitudinal slots 24:, each formed in the upper side of a tank, and extending the full length of the tank, but partly closed by a movable valve 25. The marginal portions of said valve extend inside the tank, and contain on their upper surfaces packing material 26, which is pressed against the body of the tank at the edges of the slot by turned to the bottom,

springs 27 riveted to the valve at its terminal portions, and which presses against the upper surface-of the tank. By this means the edges of the valve are rendered substantially water tight. Said valve is moved from one end to the other, so as to leave an opening of about one-third the length of the tank, first at one end of the tank, and then at the other, by means of levers 28, 29, located on opposite sides of the slot. The lever 28 is pivoted upon a pin extending outwardly from a lug 31 secured to the valve, and at a proper point in the path of the tank, said lever is engaged by a suitably supported finger 32. Tracks 33, 34, are secured on the outside of the tank on opposite sides of said slot and said levers 28, 29, have 1 each an arm riding on the corresponding track. When, in the movement of the tank, said lever 28 is engaged by said finger 32, said lever is held back thereby, while the tank continues to advance; and consequently the valve moves rearwardly with the lever, relatively to the tank, opening the slot at the advancing end of the tank. But when the lever 28 reaches the rear end of the track 33, the arm of said lever, being no longer engaged by said track, drops, permitting the lever 28 to rock upon its pivot, and the finger 32 to escape past the upper end of the lever. Said valveis so moved rearwardly to open the front end of the tank before the tank dips downinto the annular channel 3. During its progress in said channel the tank is filled with water, and is carried, by the power hereafter explained, toward the upper Wheel 6. On approaching said upper wheel, the tank is rotated about its axis by means to be presently described, and at the same time the valve is moved to the front end of the tank so as to facilitate the discharge of the water therefrom. This is effected by means of a finger 36, which may be of an annular form extending transversely around the tank in order to effect the movement of the valve, while the tank is turning on its axis, if necessary. Said finger 36 engages the other lever 29, which is secured to a cable 37, running around pulleys 38 upon the tank, and secured, as shown at 39, to said valve. Said lever isheld stationary by said finger 36, thereby causing the valve to move from left to right relatively to the tank, until the lever reaches the rear end of the track 34 uponwhich it travels, whereupon the arm of said lever drops, permitting said finger to pass said lever, so that it can advance with the tank.

At about the time when the valve is moved forward, the tank is rotated by means of a spiral cam 41, which engages a roller 42 depending from the bottom of the tank, so that ,e'ach tank in turn is turned through two right angles, nd thasl tjn thex tank is whereupon the water is discharged from said tank, falling into a convenientv reservoir, or, receptacle 43. After the tank has passed the upper wheel, it is turned back to its normal position by -means of a second spiral cam 44, located at ently high to raise them above the level of the water in said reservoir, then over a wheel 47 loose upon a horizontal shaft 48, upon which shaft 48 is also loose another wheel similar to the wheel 47 and provided for the return movement ofthe tanks and then down a comparatively long downwardly-inclined course 51, finally discharging the water at the end of said long course 51 and passing around a lower wheel 50. When the apparatus is employed for the purpose of conveying water for irrigation purposes or the like from an elevated lake to a distant locality which is belowthe level of the water in the lake, it is evident that there may be more tanks filled with water on the downwardly inclined course 51, of the second endless chainof tanks than there are tanks filled with water on the upwardly inclined courses of both'chains, and that then the power obtained by said difference in weight of loaded tanks may be utilized to operate the apparatus. 1 accomplish this result by securing to the upper wheels of both courses or series of tanks grooved pulleys 54, 55, around which pulleys passes a cable 56, said cable passing also over and under suit,- able idle pulleys 57. It will be seen that with this construction the two endlessseries of tanks may be a considerable distancmas a mile, or even more, apart. The apparatus of great utility, therefore, in enabling water to be obtained from an elevatedlake and conveyed, to a locality at a considerable distance, which could not otherwisebe so con.- veyed except at a great expense for tunneling, pumping, or other means. v

In Fig. 4, is illustrated a simple form of apparatus, in which more than one endless series of tanks are not required, the locality to which the water isto be conveyed being comparatively near the source of supply; or it can be used in places where it possible to convey by flumes, ditches, or the like, to a,locality at a comparatively ,great distance, the water, .after it has been raised outof the lake and is conveyed by said tanks to a lower level. In the modficationrsh wnrin Fig. gas bottom of the tank is formed with ppeiiings 40., which are closed by check ,.t a 1ves 41 suitably guided by guides 45. These vats open automatically when the tank descends into the water, and close as it is raised therefrom.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate my invention as applied to the irrigation of land adjacent to the bank of a lake or river, and in which use of the invention the action is not automatic, but, external power must be applied to produce the continual travel of the tanks. The apparatus is here shown as adapted to be operated by horse power applied to one end of a lever 61, the other end of which is connected to a vertical shaft 62 of a bevel gear 63 meshing with a bevel pinion 64 on a horizontal shaft 65 having at its other end a bevel pinion 63 meshing with a bevel gear 67 upon the same shaft as the upper wheel of the endless chain of tanks. The water discharged at the upper Wheel falls into a trough 68 from which it is conducted to the parts to be irrigated.

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 indicate the apparatus as used for elevating water from a well or the like. The principal diflFerence as compared with the form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 11 and 12, besides that the path of the tank is vertical instead of inclined, and therefore no tracks are required, is that I employ a diflerent form of tank. In this case the tanks 71 are open at one end and closed at the other, and have no valves at the sides, but have a valve 72 in the bottom, which permits the escape of air when the open end of the tank enters the water, said valve, upon the ascent of the tank, auto-' matically closing to prevent the escape of water. The tanks discharge in succession at the upper end of their path on to a chute or flume 73 which conducts the water to any place desired. It is to be noted that not only the vertical wheels 48, but also the horizontal, or nearly horizontal, wheels su port and raise the tanks so that their weig t is removed from thetrack in passing around said wheels, thus facilitating the passage of the carriers around the curved portions of their path. The pulleys 54, are made of such diameters that the speed of the second endless series can be regulated to compensate for the loss of water during the travel from the first to the second series.

I claim 1. In combination, an endless series of water carriers, means for guiding said carriers in an upward direction from a lake or other body of water, a second endless series of water carriers, means for guiding said carriers in a downward direction, the extent of vertical movement of the second series of carriers being greater than that of the first series, and an operative connection between the two series whereby the first series may be moved by the weight of the second series.

2. In combination, an endless series of water carriers, means for guiding said carriers in an upward direction from a lake or other body of water, a second endless series of water carriers, means for guiding said carriers in a downward direction, means whereby water may be discharged from said carriers of said first series at the upper end thereof, means for conducting the water so discharged to the upper end of the second series, the extent of vertical movement of the second series of carriers being greater than that of the first series, and an operative connection between the two series whereby the first series may be moved by the weight of the second series.

3. In combination, an endless series of water carriers, means for guiding said carriers in an upward direction from a lake or other body of water, a second endless series of water carriers, means for guiding said carriers in a downward direction,

means whereby water may be discharged from said carriers of said first series at the upper end thereof, means for conducting the water so discharged to the upper end of the second series, the extent of vertical movement of the second series of carriers being greater than that of the first series, and an endless cable operatively related to both series whereby the first series may be moved by the weight of the second series.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing.

witnesses.

. JOSEPH D. BELL. Witnesses:

F. M. WRIGHT, D. B. RICHARDS.

copies of this patent may be obtolned for he cent: each, by addressing the Commissioner of intents, Washington, D. 0." 

